Hope Is A Declaration Of A Reality

“Hope is not a wish, hope is a declaration of a reality” MWJ

During the Christmas season we hear the words hope and wish many times. There is, however, a huge difference between the two. A wish may or may not come true and often disappoints. Just ask a child on Christmas day that doesn’t receive what they’d wished for or maybe interview someone who watches as the Prize Patrol rings someone else’s door bell on Super Bowl Sunday and delivers a check for ten million dollars. Our wishes don’t always come true. And that is a good thing as well, because how many of us have wished for something in a fit of rage or during a really unwise moment that if it had come true would have been devastating?

True hope, on the other hand, will always be realized. I say true hope because it all depends on who or what our hope is built on. If like the hymn writer you can proclaim, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness…” than your hope is secure. That security comes from hoping in what God has promised.

What can we hope for?

* “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

* “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASB)

* “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NASB)

* “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)

* “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

*”For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NASB)

And much, much more! My friend, true hope cannot disappoint because Jesus holds and guarantees the realization of that hope. So, today, don’t live on wishes and dreams, rather, hold fast to hope, hold fast to Jesus. He is worthy of our trust and is indeed our only true hope.

Pastor MJ